22/09/2026
OUR SOURCE OF POWER TO WORK THE GARDEN
“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” — Genesis 2:15
Our power to work the garden does not originate in humanity alone.
It comes from God, through His life-giving Spirit, His Word, His gifts, and His grace.
1. GOD IS THE SOURCE
Genesis 1:1; Psalm 24:1
The garden belongs first to God.
We are not owners in the absolute sense—we are stewards and servants.
God creates → God entrusts → Humanity serves → Creation flourishes
2. GOD GIVES LIFE AND BREATH
Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:25
We cannot work the garden without the life God continually gives us.
Our strength, intelligence, creativity, hands, minds and abilities are gifts.
3. GOD'S SPIRIT EMPOWERS US
Zechariah 4:6; Acts 1:8
The work of caring for creation is not sustained by human strength alone.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.” — Zechariah 4:6
This is especially important for NCEP's ecological evangelisation: we do not merely preach environmental responsibility; we invite people into a relationship with the Creator whose Spirit empowers responsible living.
4. GOD'S WORD GIVES DIRECTION
Genesis 1–2; Psalm 119:105
Power without direction can become destructive.
Humanity has enormous technological and economic power in the Anthropocene. The question therefore becomes:
Power for what?
God's Word provides the moral direction:
Work it.
Take care of it.
Love your neighbour.
Protect life.
Exercise responsible dominion.
5. CHRIST REDEEMS THE RELATIONSHIP
Colossians 1:15–20; Romans 8:19–23
The garden story does not end in Genesis.
It moves through:
Creation → Fall → Redemption → Restoration → New Creation
Christ is therefore central to ecological evangelisation. Creation is not merely onsomething to be managed; it is part of God's redemptive story.
6. LOVE BECOMES THE MOTIVE POWER
Matthew 22:37–39; John 13:34–35
Ultimately, the Christian does not care for creation merely because environmental regulations demand it.
We care because we love God, our neighbour, and the works of God's hands.
